I know you must like podcasts. You listen to this one, anyway. But having your own podcast can be a helpful tool for starting and growing your business. In today’s episode, I chat with a friend of mine who has used podcasting successfully to take her business to new heights.   About Nicole Begley Nicole Begley, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, is a zoological animal trainer turned pet photographer and educator. She created Hair of the Dog in 2012 to empower pet photographers to turn their dreams into reality by helping them improve their craft and grow their pet photography business. Nicole has authored a book Pet and Equine Photography for Everyone, available on Amazon. She established Nicole Begley Photography in Pittsburgh, PA in 2010 but now serves the market of Charlotte, NC. Nicole shares her home with her husband, two tiny humans, and her Puerto Rican rescue dog Zoey. Oh yes, she is also Chief of Staff to Emma the cat. She is the creator of the #selfiedog series, a travel addict, and a chocolate martini connoisseur.   Putting in Place Systems for Success If you decide to start a podcast, having a process in place is crucial. Sure, you can do all the production and post-production work yourself, but that’s going to be time-consuming. Nicole and I discuss our processes for making episodes every week in ways that don’t take over our lives.  This can involve having someone in your own business work on post-production or farming it out to an outside person or group. While this will cost some money, it will allow you to spend your time and energy where your business needs you the most.   Getting Great Content for Your Podcast But it’s not enough to just have a podcast; you need great content for it too. We discuss how to connect with people in your community and beyond to interview. Nicole recommends using your network to find interesting people who can add value to your show. Being on other people’s podcasts can help you too. It will make you more comfortable in front of a microphone. Also, being a guest elsewhere will expand your reach. It’s a perfect way to find new clients and listeners for your own show. Throughout the process of starting and running a podcast, Nicole wants you to keep your intentions in mind. Ask yourself what your goals are with your podcast and how you want to spend your time with it. If you keep that in the forefront of your mind, your podcast will be on track to help your business grow. Have you thought about starting a podcast? What do you need to do to get started? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode Having a process to make podcasting easier [9:00] Learning to become a podcaster [19:30] Finding the right people and content for your episodes [28:00] Sounding true and authentic with your voice [39:30] The most important question for beginning podcasters [49:50]   Quotes “One of the best ways to leverage podcasting as a lead generator in your business is to get in front of other people’s audiences.” [36:10] “Personally, we sometimes feel like our story is not all that exciting. But it is for somebody else. There can be so many great lessons for them.” [38:00] “The biggest thing to get started is to ask yourself what your intention is with your podcast and how to utilize it as a tool in your business so your time spent on it is beneficial.” [52:00]   Review Fed and Fearless on Apple Podcasts! Send a screenshot of your review to [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram and I’ll send you my Overcoming Undereating eBook. If you post your favorite episode in your Insta stories and tag me @LauraShoenfeldRD, I’ll also send you my 14-Day Calorie Challenge Recipe Guide!   Links Sign up for the Practice Better training! Find Nicole Begley online Follow Nicole on Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Hair of the Dog Pet and Equine Photography for Everyone Leave a review of Fed and Fearless! Sign Up For The Free Training: T